Libraries Publish Digital Collection Documenting U of A's First 50 Years

University of Arkansas

An engraving of Old Main taken from the 1874 course catalog.

The University of Arkansas Libraries have published a new digital collection of materials dating back to the university's opening in 1872. The University of Arkansas Catalog Collection, available to the public online at no cost, features course catalogs and announcements for the first 50 years of the U of A's history.

"The catalogs are the best resource available for early U of A history," said Amy Allen, university archivist. "You can find campus maps, building descriptions, student requirements, uniform regulations, enrollment numbers, courses taught, Board of Trustee reports, list of students, alumni, faculty and so much more. I'm excited to have this wealth of information accessible to a greater number of people." 

While exploring the catalogs, readers will discover differences between university departments and procedures as they are today compared to as they were in the beginning. For example, the very first course catalog includes a list of those enrolled in the Preparatory Department, which was specifically for students who were not yet ready to take on college-level courses. Qualifications for admission in 1872 included passing a penmanship exam as well as being of "good moral character" and over 14 years old. A matriculation fee of just $5 entitled beneficiaries to a full four years of learning. 

"Providing additional context to the University of Arkansas' history digital collections, the University of Arkansas Catalog of Studies examines courses, degrees and related college information offered from 1872 through 1926," said Martha Anderson, head of the Digital Services Department. "This information can be used to explore areas of study in the early years of the university, trace new areas of research and perhaps look into our future."

Digital Services personnel who digitized and processed the collection's images include Christina Rhoades, Digital Services supervisor; Neva Bartelt; Addi Brandkamp; Clara Davis; Jahilit Flores; Xen Hesse; Ross Kerr; Shelby Osbourn and Dharma Shepard.